Your building should fit your property — and your life.
There are plenty of reasons to build a pole barn or barndominium in Buchanan County, Missouri.
You may need more storage.
You may want a large workshop.
You might be ready to build a new home on your property and like the freedom a barndominium provides.
Or maybe you want all three.
Whatever you’re planning, decisions made before construction can have a huge impact on how much you enjoy the finished building.
Start With the Purpose
Before getting estimates, write down exactly what you want the building to do.
For example:
You might want 2,000 square feet of living space with an attached workshop.
Or a pole barn large enough to store tractors and machinery.
Or a garage with space for vehicles, an RV and a home office.
The more clearly you can explain the purpose, the easier it is for a builder to recommend the right dimensions and configuration.
Don’t Underestimate Space
Empty buildings look enormous.
Then you start filling them.
Vehicles go in. Shelving goes up. Tools arrive. Work benches consume wall space. Suddenly that giant shop doesn’t feel quite so giant.
Consider allowing room for circulation and future storage rather than simply calculating whether everything fits today.
For a barndominium, think carefully about the balance between living and utility areas.
A giant shop sounds great — until you realize you sacrificed the pantry, office or spare bedroom you wanted.
Consider Your Location on the Property
Where you place the building matters almost as much as what you build.
Consider road access, driveways, utilities, drainage, views and future development of the property.
If you’re building a home, think about where outdoor areas and porches should face.
If you’re constructing an agricultural or equipment building, easy access for trucks and trailers may be more important than the view.
Plan the entire property — not just the building footprint.
Invest in the Parts That Matter
Everyone has a budget.
The trick is knowing where saving money makes sense and where it may cost you later.
Structural components, roofing, siding, doors and site preparation aren’t usually the best places to make decisions based solely on the cheapest option.
Quality materials and good workmanship can help reduce maintenance and extend the useful life of your building.
You can always upgrade cosmetic items later.
Fixing fundamental construction problems is much harder.
Make the Building Your Own
One of the biggest advantages of barndominiums and post-frame buildings is customization.
You aren’t locked into the same floor plan as every other house in a subdivision.
Want a long covered porch?
An oversized garage?
A dedicated woodworking shop?
Tall doors for an RV?
An open kitchen and entertaining area?
Plan it.
The goal isn’t simply to build a barndominium. It’s to build one that works for you.
Talk to an Experienced Builder Early
You don’t need a perfect plan before speaking with a builder.
In fact, talking with an experienced pole barn or barndominium builder early in the process can help you avoid designing something that isn’t practical for your budget or property.
Bring your ideas, approximate dimensions and priorities.
Then ask plenty of questions.
If you’re planning to build in Buchanan County, Missouri, careful planning now can save money, frustration and compromises later.
Build for what you need today.
But don’t forget to build for tomorrow.
